X Factor twist sees judges each get a wildcard to take through to live shows

As part of a new twist X Factor judges
Gary Barlow,
Nicole Scherzinger,
Tulisa Contostavlos and
Louis Walsh have each chosen a wildcard to battle it out for a place in the live shows.

Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh will each reveal the acts they’re taking through to The X Factor live shows this weekend (Picture: ITV)

Show bosses are hoping to ramp up dwindling audience figures by bringing back four acts that had previously been sent packing by their respective mentors.

The final 12 acts going through to the live shows – and their hotly anticipated makeovers – will be revealed on Sunday night’s episode after some intense judges’ houses viewing.

Gary, Nicole, Tulisa and Louis will then reveal the acts they’ve chosen to bring back to the competition as their secret weapon.

The final 12 acts and the judges’ wildcards will be revealed on Sunday’s show (Picture: PA)

The four wildcards – who have already been picked and are currently living it up in a plush London hotel with the rest of this year’s cohort – will then go head-to-head on the show next Saturday.

The public will vote on which of wannabes they want to join the final 12 and the act with the most votes will perform with the original finalists when the first of the live shows kick off the following Saturday.

The judges’ houses stage of the competition will air this weekend (Picture: PA)

A show source told The Sun: ‘We like to add new twists to the show every year and this time the public get to choose an act to be added to the competition.

‘With the standard so high this year, the judges had a tough time choosing their three, so this gives another amazing act the chance to perform on The X Factor stage.’

Phone lines will open at the end of Sunday’s show and will close at midday next Saturday.